Melbourne fans' euphoria at overcoming Sydney FC in thrilling fashion on Sunday evening was slightly dented by a disappointing 0-2 home loss to Korean outfit Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma on Tuesday in the AFC Champions League. Melbourne's continental form has not yet matched its domestic form, with the loss to a well-drilled Seongnam consigning Victory to the bottom half of Group E with, perhaps surprisingly, Japan's Kawasaki Frontale.
The match was also met with a cold reception from the Melbourne public, with just 7,899 fans turning up to a cavernous Docklands. The figure was Melbourne Victory's lowest ever crowd for a competitive fixture and is disappointing no matter how one analyses it. Melbourne's opening Champions League fixture in 2008 against Korea's Chunnam Dragons drew somewhere around 23,000. The 15,000 drop in attendance, as well as poor finals crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, must be worrying for Football Federation Australia who needs to do more in backing those who support the A-League.
Despite possessing an enviable domestic record in Australia and advancing to its second straight home A-League Grand Final, Victory's continental form just hasn't quite lived up to the hype. I think Melbourne has had some rotten luck during its Champions League runs, with talisman Archie Thompson and playmaker Carlos Hernandez missing for most of the 2008 campaign. Likewise, this campaign the sides put out by Ernie Merrick have not been full strength, with Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse, Matthew Kemp, and Kevin Muscat not lining up in matches for one reason or another.
Victory's all-time Champions League record now stands at 2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, a less than inspiring haul for a side so successful domestically. With tough away trips to Kawasaki and Seongnam still to come, it is likely that Melbourne will once again miss out on progression to the next round. Somewhat amusingly, fellow Australian side Adelaide United finished stone cold motherless last this A-League season, but has enjoyed two resurgent wins in Asia thanks to smart recruiting and a gameplan which is proven in Champions League football.
Maybe we'll just have to wait until 2011 to see what Melbourne can really do in Asia.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, December 4, 2009
Asians Learn their World Cup Fate
I was one of the thousands of bleary-eyed Australians last night who sacrificed sleep to tune into the telecast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup draw. Australia was looking for an easier passage to the Round of 16 than what 2006 offered, however find themselves in a group arguably on par with or slightly more difficult than 2006. I immediately hit the forums after the draw to gauge the opinions of fellow Australian football fans. As expected, reactions were mixed. One thing was largely agreed upon though: that Pim Verbeek and the Socceroos will once again really have to earn their spot in the Round of 16.
After a contrived and somewhat tacky pre-draw cultural extravaganza in Cape Town, South Africa, the 32 participating nations finally learnt their World Cup fate in a nailbiting draw which was presided over by actress Charlize Theron in an interesting fashion. All four AFC representatives: Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and DPR Korea, were drawn in tough groups, with Australia and DPR Korea arguably drawing the most difficult combinations of teams. The groups containing AFC nations are as follows:
Group B
After a contrived and somewhat tacky pre-draw cultural extravaganza in Cape Town, South Africa, the 32 participating nations finally learnt their World Cup fate in a nailbiting draw which was presided over by actress Charlize Theron in an interesting fashion. All four AFC representatives: Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and DPR Korea, were drawn in tough groups, with Australia and DPR Korea arguably drawing the most difficult combinations of teams. The groups containing AFC nations are as follows:
Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece
Comments: Perhaps the most open of any group involving an Asian nation. I am tipping Korea Republic to go through with Argentina despite the instability of Diego Maradona's reign.
Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Comments: No question, Australia has again been drawn in one of the toughest groups of the tournament. This will be Pim Verbeek's most imposing test yet as a manager. The Germans, Serbians, and Ghanaians can all match Australia technically and physically. Taking points off Germany in the opening match of the group may be vital to Australia's chances of progression.
Group E
Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Comments: If Japan is to indeed fulfil its desire to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, it will first have to negotiate this tricky group. The Netherlands swept aside the Japanese in a friendly earlier this year and should top the group. Denmark and Cameroon will offer stern challenges to Takeshi Okada's men.
Group G
Brazil
Korea DPR
Cote d'Ivoire
Portugal
Comments: For me, this is the obligatory 'Group of Death' of the tournament. One serious tournament contender out of Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, and Portugal, will be eliminated. Korea DPR, despite nostalgia of its historic 1966 World Cup run, will probably be lucky to get a point out of this group. They may spring a surprise if they stick to their well-drilled organisational style which served them well in Asia. Cote d'Ivoire will be ruing being drawn in a very tough group for the second World Cup straight.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Bahrain Fall to New Zealand
New Zealand have booked their spot in South Africa with a 1-0 home victory over Bahrain in Wellington earlier this evening. The All Whites will make just their second appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament and their first since 1982. A cauldron of more than 35,000 Kiwis carried the home side through a memorable and famous night which will doubtless go down in New Zealand football history as one of the greatest. For the visitors, however, it was once again a ticket to the World Cup lost. Bahrain failed at exactly the same stage four years ago to Dwight Yorke's Trinidad and Tobago outfit, and to be honest, they can only blame themselves for failing to dispatch the Oceania group winners.
The interesting thing about this result is the political ramifications it may have for Australia within the AFC and the A-League's New Zealand-based team Wellington Phoenix. Rumblings from the AFC about Australia developing talent for rival confederations may become more vociferous in the weeks ahead.
To be honest though, I think this is a good opportunity for the AFC and Bahrain to examine their own footballing deficiencies. Any 5th placed Asian national team should be battle-hardened and used to pressure matches. New Zealand does not have the luxury of a long qualifying campaign and, with all due respect, fields a squad with some semi-professional players from the local New Zealand Football Championship. Over the course of the two legs, Bahrain missed a handful of gilt-edged chances to score and even a penalty. So is the A-League's acceptance of Wellington Phoenix and subsequent development of New Zealand national team players 100% to blame for Bahrain's failure? No, of course not, but blaming Australia is the easy way out.
Much to the ire of some powerbrokers within Asia, there will be no sides from West Asia at South Africa. A powershift to the East has occurred. Traditional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran both failed during their respective qualifying campaigns in Asia, whilst Bahrain failed to put away New Zealand in their two matches. Qatar and UAE picked up just 7 points between them in the Fourth Round of AFC World Cup qualifying matches and finished 4th and 5th respectively in their groups.
Some will say, in more than unsavoury terms, that only three nations are representing Asia in South Africa - Japan, South Korea, and North Korea. They will say that Australia does not belong in Asia, and will predictably point to Australia's domestic assistance to New Zealand that we are undermining the confederation. For almost four years some bloggers and keyboard warriors have bad-mouthed Australia's status as an Asian football nation. Apparently a majority caucasian population disqualifies us. Or the fact that we speak English. Never mind that English is an official language in India, the Philippines, and Singapore though.
Australia will proudly represent the AFC at South Africa in 2010. We will do our best to make Asian football proud and to do justice to the rich history of football in this continent. Those that choose to question Australia's commitment to Asian football and development of the Wellington Phoenix, however, need to understand the pecularities of our social, political, economic, and footballing environments and the market in which the A-League operates.
The interesting thing about this result is the political ramifications it may have for Australia within the AFC and the A-League's New Zealand-based team Wellington Phoenix. Rumblings from the AFC about Australia developing talent for rival confederations may become more vociferous in the weeks ahead.
To be honest though, I think this is a good opportunity for the AFC and Bahrain to examine their own footballing deficiencies. Any 5th placed Asian national team should be battle-hardened and used to pressure matches. New Zealand does not have the luxury of a long qualifying campaign and, with all due respect, fields a squad with some semi-professional players from the local New Zealand Football Championship. Over the course of the two legs, Bahrain missed a handful of gilt-edged chances to score and even a penalty. So is the A-League's acceptance of Wellington Phoenix and subsequent development of New Zealand national team players 100% to blame for Bahrain's failure? No, of course not, but blaming Australia is the easy way out.
Much to the ire of some powerbrokers within Asia, there will be no sides from West Asia at South Africa. A powershift to the East has occurred. Traditional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran both failed during their respective qualifying campaigns in Asia, whilst Bahrain failed to put away New Zealand in their two matches. Qatar and UAE picked up just 7 points between them in the Fourth Round of AFC World Cup qualifying matches and finished 4th and 5th respectively in their groups.
Some will say, in more than unsavoury terms, that only three nations are representing Asia in South Africa - Japan, South Korea, and North Korea. They will say that Australia does not belong in Asia, and will predictably point to Australia's domestic assistance to New Zealand that we are undermining the confederation. For almost four years some bloggers and keyboard warriors have bad-mouthed Australia's status as an Asian football nation. Apparently a majority caucasian population disqualifies us. Or the fact that we speak English. Never mind that English is an official language in India, the Philippines, and Singapore though.
Australia will proudly represent the AFC at South Africa in 2010. We will do our best to make Asian football proud and to do justice to the rich history of football in this continent. Those that choose to question Australia's commitment to Asian football and development of the Wellington Phoenix, however, need to understand the pecularities of our social, political, economic, and footballing environments and the market in which the A-League operates.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Daal Screamer Wins it for North Queensland
A left-foot screamer by perennial second half substitute Dyron Daal has secured North Queensland FC a deserved inaugural home victory over Perth Glory in Townsville this evening. North Queensland's habit of conceding cheap first half goals continued as Dutchman Victor Sikora scored for Perth in the 25th minute. A sense of 'this is all too familiar' clouded Dairy Farmers Stadium as Perth took their 1-0 lead to the half-time break.
Notorious for securing results in the second half, North Queensland came out of the half-time break a much better outfit and asked plenty of questions of the Perth defence. Star striker Robbie Fowler scored his sixth goal of the season on 65 minutes with a cheeky quick free kick which lifted the spirits of the home faithful. Minutes later coach Ian Ferguson emptied his bench by bringing on big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal. Daal has been an impressive contributor off the bench in recent weeks, but tonight would be his most significant contribution for a club desperately looking to stay in touch with the rest of the competition.
Daal began on the right before moving up forward alongside Robbie Fowler. On 71 minutes, with his second touch of the game Daal received the ball in the penalty box. He turned onto his left foot before unleashing a left-foot drive past Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi which sent the green-clad stands into delirium. His goal was just reward for his recent performances and handed North Queensland hope of a first home win. The Greens held on to the 2-1 advantage and secured their first ever home victory - a deserved result and badly needed for the club's off-field credibility as well.
Daal is on a short-term contract replacing Karl Dodd. Once Dodd regains his fitness, it remains to be seen what will happen to Daal although I think he would be a loss for North Queensland. His chances of securing a full-time deal in the A-League have surely increased thanks to his history-making strike this evening.
In the other match of the evening, Thai international Sutee Suksomkit made his debut for Melbourne Victory in their 3-1 defeat of Adelaide United in front of more than 21,000 fans.
Notorious for securing results in the second half, North Queensland came out of the half-time break a much better outfit and asked plenty of questions of the Perth defence. Star striker Robbie Fowler scored his sixth goal of the season on 65 minutes with a cheeky quick free kick which lifted the spirits of the home faithful. Minutes later coach Ian Ferguson emptied his bench by bringing on big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal. Daal has been an impressive contributor off the bench in recent weeks, but tonight would be his most significant contribution for a club desperately looking to stay in touch with the rest of the competition.
Daal began on the right before moving up forward alongside Robbie Fowler. On 71 minutes, with his second touch of the game Daal received the ball in the penalty box. He turned onto his left foot before unleashing a left-foot drive past Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi which sent the green-clad stands into delirium. His goal was just reward for his recent performances and handed North Queensland hope of a first home win. The Greens held on to the 2-1 advantage and secured their first ever home victory - a deserved result and badly needed for the club's off-field credibility as well.
Daal is on a short-term contract replacing Karl Dodd. Once Dodd regains his fitness, it remains to be seen what will happen to Daal although I think he would be a loss for North Queensland. His chances of securing a full-time deal in the A-League have surely increased thanks to his history-making strike this evening.
In the other match of the evening, Thai international Sutee Suksomkit made his debut for Melbourne Victory in their 3-1 defeat of Adelaide United in front of more than 21,000 fans.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
2009 AFC Champions League Semi-Finals
On the back of Nagoya Grampus's amazing 6-2 loss to two-time AFC Champions League winner Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, it looks like one of the Asian Football Confederation's worst fears may come to fruition: a slew of empty seats in Tokyo's National Stadium for the Final to be held next month.
In the other semi-final, Korean surprise Pohang Steelers nutted out an important 2-0 home win to take to the away leg in Qatar against Umm-Salal. Barring a minor miracle in the form of a Nagoya victory by at least 4-0 in their home leg, this year's Champions League final will be played without a Japanese team meaning little travelling support. A half-empty stadium and a cavernous atmosphere will be a disaster for the AFC, and it just might make them rethink their somewhat ambitious move to make one of Asian football's showcase events a one-off affair at a neutral venue. According to Fox Sports pundit and commentator Mike Cockerill on this morning's broadcast, just 5,000 tickets have been sold for the match. Tokyo's National Stadium has a capacity of 57,000.
Football Federation Australia has expressed its interest in bidding for next year's AFC Champions League Final, according to this article.
For what it's worth, I think the AFC in its current state is far too unwieldy and far too large to accommodate a one-off continental Champions League Final at a neutral venue. The nature of Asian geography is not conducive to encouraging large contingents of supporting travellers, meaning that stadium capacity is left for neutrals to fill. The fact that the AFC Champions League does not yet have European-like prestige also makes filling stadiums a challenge. The football community knows the talent on offer in the AFC Champions League well, but it's fair to say that general populations throughout the Asian region do not.
In a sense taking the Final to a neutral venue is ripping the game away from the people that matter most to clubs - their fans. Adelaide United's remarkable run in the 2008 AFC Champions League, which culminated in two one-sided losses in the Final to Japan's Gamba Osaka, captured the attention of Adelaide and Australian football fans alike. Would the same level of excitement have been reached if Adelaide did not host a leg of the Final? Probably not.
If indeed the AFC is serious about its one-off Final policy and decides to continue it, then at the very least it should be rotated appropriately around the confederation to ensure that there is no favouritism. If Nagoya remarkably reaches the Final, one would have to think it will have significant backing from the stands and this isn't really fair.
In the meantime, the second leg awaits us with Pohang Steelers and Al-Ittihad the favourites to progress.
In the other semi-final, Korean surprise Pohang Steelers nutted out an important 2-0 home win to take to the away leg in Qatar against Umm-Salal. Barring a minor miracle in the form of a Nagoya victory by at least 4-0 in their home leg, this year's Champions League final will be played without a Japanese team meaning little travelling support. A half-empty stadium and a cavernous atmosphere will be a disaster for the AFC, and it just might make them rethink their somewhat ambitious move to make one of Asian football's showcase events a one-off affair at a neutral venue. According to Fox Sports pundit and commentator Mike Cockerill on this morning's broadcast, just 5,000 tickets have been sold for the match. Tokyo's National Stadium has a capacity of 57,000.
Football Federation Australia has expressed its interest in bidding for next year's AFC Champions League Final, according to this article.
For what it's worth, I think the AFC in its current state is far too unwieldy and far too large to accommodate a one-off continental Champions League Final at a neutral venue. The nature of Asian geography is not conducive to encouraging large contingents of supporting travellers, meaning that stadium capacity is left for neutrals to fill. The fact that the AFC Champions League does not yet have European-like prestige also makes filling stadiums a challenge. The football community knows the talent on offer in the AFC Champions League well, but it's fair to say that general populations throughout the Asian region do not.
In a sense taking the Final to a neutral venue is ripping the game away from the people that matter most to clubs - their fans. Adelaide United's remarkable run in the 2008 AFC Champions League, which culminated in two one-sided losses in the Final to Japan's Gamba Osaka, captured the attention of Adelaide and Australian football fans alike. Would the same level of excitement have been reached if Adelaide did not host a leg of the Final? Probably not.
If indeed the AFC is serious about its one-off Final policy and decides to continue it, then at the very least it should be rotated appropriately around the confederation to ensure that there is no favouritism. If Nagoya remarkably reaches the Final, one would have to think it will have significant backing from the stands and this isn't really fair.
In the meantime, the second leg awaits us with Pohang Steelers and Al-Ittihad the favourites to progress.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Suksomkit to Melbourne and other A-League Movements
As posted last week, it was strongly rumoured on various internet forums that Thai international and current Tampines Rovers player Sutee Suksomkit was on his way to the A-League to link up with fellow Thai Surat Sukha at Melbourne Victory. Suksomkit's signing was confirmed by the club earlier this week and he will stay for three months on a guest player deal. The Thai language sources were on the money and again Melbourne supporters were able to gather information about a potential club signing before official club press releases. Suksomkit's presence at Victory may help Sukha settle in a little more and the A-League champions may perhaps look at signing Suksomkit for its upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.
In other A-League player movement news:
Newcastle have signed 2007 Asian Cup winning Iraq international Ali Abbas for the remainder of the A-League season as an injury replacement player for Shaun Ontong.
Former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges will return to the A-League after signing with Newcastle for the remainder of the A-League season. Bridges' first stint in the A-League was with Sydney FC in the 2007/08 season.
North Queensland FC have managed to hang on to big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal for a further 6-8 weeks on yet another injury replacement deal. The big Dutchman's willingness to remain in Townsville has been rewarded with a second stint at the club, although when this current deal expires it remains to be seen how Daal can remain in Townsville should coach Ian Ferguson be willing to sign him to a full-time contract.
In other A-League player movement news:
Newcastle have signed 2007 Asian Cup winning Iraq international Ali Abbas for the remainder of the A-League season as an injury replacement player for Shaun Ontong.
Former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges will return to the A-League after signing with Newcastle for the remainder of the A-League season. Bridges' first stint in the A-League was with Sydney FC in the 2007/08 season.
North Queensland FC have managed to hang on to big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal for a further 6-8 weeks on yet another injury replacement deal. The big Dutchman's willingness to remain in Townsville has been rewarded with a second stint at the club, although when this current deal expires it remains to be seen how Daal can remain in Townsville should coach Ian Ferguson be willing to sign him to a full-time contract.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thailand's Suksomkit to Melbourne Victory?
I have been alerted to a rumour that Thai international Sutee Suksomkit is set to join countryman Surat Sukha at A-League Champions Melbourne Victory in October on a three month deal, presumably as a guest player.
This scoop first surfaced on an edited Wikipedia page, however it seems some Melbourne supporters have done some digging and uncovered a more credible source from a Singapore football forum:
http://kallangroar.com/asean-footbal...otball-94.html "Sutee Suksomkit sign Melbourne Victory in A-League. Sutee became the thai player in Hyundai A-League next to Surat Sukha last night when he signed a contract at Melbourne Victory After, terminate contract for Tampines Rovers He will go to Australia on October 5th.The Thai Midfielder,will be paid $15,000 AUD per/month for 3 month."
For those that can understand Thai, this source seems to confirm suspicion that Suksomkit, currently with S-League outfit Tampines Rovers, is on his way to the A-League. While I could only catch Suksomkit's name, Melbourne Victory, and the A-League mentioned, others have had native speakers of Thai confirm the content of the video.
It is not unusual for the signing of Melbourne players to be announced in foreign media first, as we saw with the signings of Carlos Hernandez and Surat Sukha. As always nothing is confirmed until Melbourne Victory themselves confirm Suksomkit's signing.
Watch this space.
This scoop first surfaced on an edited Wikipedia page, however it seems some Melbourne supporters have done some digging and uncovered a more credible source from a Singapore football forum:
http://kallangroar.com/asean-footbal...otball-94.html "Sutee Suksomkit sign Melbourne Victory in A-League. Sutee became the thai player in Hyundai A-League next to Surat Sukha last night when he signed a contract at Melbourne Victory After, terminate contract for Tampines Rovers He will go to Australia on October 5th.The Thai Midfielder,will be paid $15,000 AUD per/month for 3 month."
For those that can understand Thai, this source seems to confirm suspicion that Suksomkit, currently with S-League outfit Tampines Rovers, is on his way to the A-League. While I could only catch Suksomkit's name, Melbourne Victory, and the A-League mentioned, others have had native speakers of Thai confirm the content of the video.
It is not unusual for the signing of Melbourne players to be announced in foreign media first, as we saw with the signings of Carlos Hernandez and Surat Sukha. As always nothing is confirmed until Melbourne Victory themselves confirm Suksomkit's signing.
Watch this space.
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